[FlyingSawdust]

I've used my JessEm Master Lift II for some time. I realized when I first used it that the "Cam Lock" didn't lock anything; that is, if I think I know what it's supposed to lock.

The instruction manual reads, "To lock your lift, turn lift handle clockwise to the "LOCKED" position. To unlock your lift, turn lift handle counterclockwise to the "UNLOCKED" position.

Well, on my unit the arrow on the wheel turned by the lift handle never leaves the locked side of the top; that is, the arrow only moves (using an analogue clock face as an explanation) from about 12:15 PM to about 6:45 PM. And while turning the mechanism with the lift handle, I don't feel anything locking.

I've called JessEm multiple times, but they seem to always be "out to lunch!" Today, February 3 they still have their Holiday phone recording.

Can anyone offer some advise other than to keep on calling JessEm?

Oh, by the way, I installed the JessEm lift on a General cast iron top with the same plate opening dimensions as the JessEm top...and it didn't fit. I had to mill the top to make it fit. And I had to file the lift handle down to make it fit into its corresponding socket to lift and lower the router. Everything I hear about JessEm is not true...other than they have the worst customer service ever.

 

[FlyingSawdust]

Well, I figured out the "problem" with my JessEm Mast R Lift II cam locking mechanism thanks to a YouTube video of a guy from England having the same "problem" with the same lift, and tech support from Incra. Yes, I did mean Incra, and not JessEm.

The cam does lock, but it requires much more force to lock/unlock than I thought initially. So, I just put a bit more muscle into the turning of the provided long Allen wrench, and that fixed that.

Meanwhile, I learned that Incra is selling the JessEm lifts in their router tables, so I sent an email to Incra. Would you believe it that they responded within one day?

But the lock/unlock indicator was still pointing in the wrong direction. I emailed Incra explaining this, and I was informed that all I had to do was apply lots of pressure on the turning dial to move it to where it should be pointed. I did, and now everything is fine.

Oh, by the way, after I had all issues resolved I finally got a phone call from JessEm. I was polite, but JessEm was "too little, too late" to help me.

Conclusion: If you are going to buy a JessEm product, buy it from a reseller with better customer service.